Restaurant review: Dim Sum Library in Admiralty – hit and miss
The crispy aubergine with salted fish and minced pork, the xiaolongbao and the ginger lobster bao were winners, but the other dishes were disappointing
Dim Sum Library is the latest offering by the Aqua Restaurant Group, which has an eclectic selection of establishments, including Hutong, Shiro, Ayuthaiya, Zafran, and of course, Aqua. The decor is art deco Shanghai, with a long bar near the entrance and the dining area at the back.
It was quiet on the night we visited, and the staff were able to move us from one table where we were getting dripped on by the air-con, to a nicer table nearby.
Advertisement
The interior of Dim Sum Library. Photo: K Y. Cheng
As you’d expect from the name of the restaurant, Dim Sum Library offers a good selection of dim sum. One quibble, though: depending on the dish, the dim sum items are offered in portions of three or four pieces. We asked if they could add one more to the three-piece dishes, saying we’d pay accordingly – which is something the better dim sum restaurants are usually willing to do. The waiter said no, and suggested we order duplicates of those dishes so that everyone in our group of four could have a piece.
Crispy aubergine with salted fish and minced pork. Photo: K. Y. Cheng
Our favourite dish was served first. From the list of chef’s recommendations, we had the crispy aubergine with salted fish and minced pork (HK$108). The coating on the aubergine was thin and delicate, not crisp, and was cooked so it was very tender within. The well-seasoned topping was delicious with the mild flavour of the aubergine.
Advertisement
Dan dan xiaolongbao (HK$48 for three pieces) was another enjoyable dish, although the wrapper broke on one of the dumplings. The filling was fragrant and very mildly spicy.
Ginger lobster bao with spring onions. Photo: K. Y. Cheng
Ginger lobster bao with spring onions (HK$88 for three pieces) had a soft steamed bun but we couldn’t really tell that the filling was made of lobster.
Leopard coral grouper fillet dumpling. Photo: K. Y. Cheng
Leopard coral grouper fillet dumplings (HK$68 for three) were unwieldy – the fish laid across the top was too large, and we ended up taking it off to eat the dumpling and topping separately.
